Access to Technology

Innovative Uses of Technology


For Underserved Communities


By John I. West


Closing the Gap, Funding • April/May 2001


More Americans than ever have access to computers, the 

Internet, and a new generation of hand-held wireless devices. Computer and Internet usage has soared for people 

in all demographic groups and geographic locations. At the end of 

1998, more than 40 percent of American households owned computers, and one quarter of all households had Internet access. 

Although acceptance and usage of these tools has increased dramatically, technology watchers still point to the existence of a “Digital 

Divide.” On one side of this divide are those with computers, Internet access and the new tools. On the other side are those without. 

According to Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide, a recent report from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), 

significant disparities persist, despite efforts to increase access to information resources. 

The report shows a continuing difference between the “information-rich” and the “information-poor.” The information-rich include 

most Whites, many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, those with 

higher incomes, people with more education, and dual parent households. The information-poor include the young, people with lower 

incomes and education levels, certain minorities, and residents of rural 

areas or central cities. The report reveals that: 

•	 Urban households with incomes of $75,000 and higher are 

more than 20 times more likely to have access to the Internet 

than rural households at the lowest income levels, and more than 

nine times as likely to have a computer at home. 

•	 Whites are more likely to have access to the Internet from home 

than African Americans or Hispanics have from any location. 

•	 African American and Hispanic households are approximately 

one-third as likely to have home Internet access as households of 

Asian/Pacific Islander descent, and roughly two-fifths as likely as 

White households. 

•	 Regardless of income level, Americans living in rural areas are 

lagging behind in Internet access. At the lowest income levels, 

those in urban areas are more than twice as likely to have Internet 

access than those earning the same income in rural areas. 

The NTIA is working to help narrow the Divide. Begun in 

1994, its Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) has distributed 

more than $149 million in grant funds and leveraged almost $221 

million in local matching funds. Simply put, TOP grants help organizations develop innovative programs using technology that can be 

replicated by other communities for the benefit of everyone. 

These grants, which require matching funds from 

non-federal sources, have helped organizations like colleges and universities, and state, local and tribal governments design 

and develop programs to help the government and their communities. To date, TOP has awarded 456 grants in 50 states, the District 

of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

By requiring matching funds, TOP encourages partnerships. 

These partnerships will help prospective organizations by contributing materially to the project. 

TOP projects create opportunities in such areas as lifelong learning, community and economic development, government and public 

services, safety, health, culture, and the arts. 

Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu received TOP funds for its Fetal Tele-Ultrasound Project. Doctors fly and drive all over the state of Hawai‘i to care for women with 

high-risk pregnancies. This new service permitted the Fetal Diagnostic Center to “see” high-resolution ultrasound images broadcast from 

neighbor islands and remote O‘ahu locations. Tele-ultrasound provided 24/7 access to specialty care rather than itinerant clinics. 

In another TOP grant, the Tribal Connections project, the University of Washington and the National Library of Medicine collaborated to open access to electronic health information resources for 

Southwest American Indian tribes. Tribal Connections provided assistance with computer network and telecommunications planning, 

equipment, and training in the use of electronic health information. 

Sixteen Northwest tribes and villages have already benefited from the 

health information and resources provided byTribal Connections. In 

2000, the National Library of Medicine provided additional funding 

to extend this innovative model for health information outreach to 

four additional tribal communities in the Southwest United States. 

In Oak Park, Illinois, the Every Block A Village Project was 

awarded a TOP grant to improve community initiatives that provide 

health care services to residents of low-income areas. These communities identified barriers to good health care, and put strategies in place 

to address the problems. Working with West Suburban Hospital as 

part of a primary health care program, residents of an inner-city Chicago community had access to the Internet to find health and safety 

information. 

NTIA’sTOP Web Site points out that a competitive grant application is one that is based on a well-developed, carefully planned 

project. Between now and next year’s deadline, prospective applicants can take the time to talk with community stakeholders, meet 

with potential end users and assess their needs, raise matching funds 

and turn ideas into a realistic plan. 

Under “compelling” circumstances, NTIA may waive the 50/50 

matching requirement, but organizations seeking a waiver must provide evidence at the time of application that the matching requirement will impose an “unreasonable hardship.” 

NTIA suggests that partnerships be clearly defined 

and mutually beneficial, with the commitments that are 

well documented in the application. 

continued>>>> 

Office of Minority Health Resource Center	 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 
Innovative Uses of Technology 

For Underserved Communities 

By John I. West 

Closing the Gap, Funding • April/May 2001 

TOP also encourages prospective applicants to build on the lessons and accomplishments of previous grantees. TOP has done a 

number of reports, including independent evaluation studies, case 

studies of individual projects and a lessons-learned series, that are 

especially helpful for people planning projects. All of the reports, 

along with a searchable database of all TOP grants ever awarded, are 

available on the TOP web site at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/top. 

In addition to the Web site, TOP is planning a meeting to help 

people with their projects through lessons learned. This year’s “Networks for People” conference will be held in December and will focus 

on the demonstrated results of TOP grantees. 

TOP expects to make announcements in the fall of 2001 on the 

availability of program funds for next year. Check the TOP web site and 

contact program personnel by phone at (202) 482-2048 or by e-mail at 

top@ntia.doc.gov. You can also stay informed on future grants by registering to get updates through an automatic e-mail notification service. The 

automatic web notification site can be found at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ 

otiahome/top/whoweare/get_update.

Office of Minority Health Resource Center 2 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services